You are not alone
All mothers, fathers, and families deserve support during pregnancy and parenthood.
Get Help
If you, or a loved one, is suffering with perinatal mood disorders, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you are searching for a therapist within your insurance network, a medication prescriber knowledgeable in prescribing during pregnancy and lactation, or looking for a local support group, we are here to help.
Find a local PSI Volunteer:
To connect with one of the Local PSI Volunteers in your area, complete this form and they will reach out to you within 48 hours.
Join a Support Group
PSI GA has a wide offering of online support group meetings. Led by trained facilitators (moms or therapists) our FREE support groups will connect you with other parents and provide helpful tools and resources. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, Baby Blues, or pregnancy or postpartum depression/anxiety, our groups are here for you. Meetings held daytime & evening, weekdays and weekends.
Other PSI Resources
We do not offer crisis management services. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. For additional safety information, call the toll-free Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
2022 Black Maternal Mental Health Summit
A virtual summit to build community & support Black Mothers, parents, and caregivers and their mental health before and after childbirth.
Learn about empowering birth experiences, facing preconception stressors, and navigating the workplace in postpartum.
Get Involved
Want to make a difference?
Join us in our work to improve maternal mental health in Georgia! Make a tax-deductible donation today.
PSI-GA relies on members and contributions from the community to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of maternal mental health issues related to childbearing in Georgia.
Your donations help to:
- Promote awareness of maternal mental health in GA
- Increase training and education of local professionals
- Provide direct support to local moms and families
You may also wish to join PSI for full membership benefits. Contact us if you have any questions about membership. All memberships are tax-deductible.
Volunteer
Advocacy in Georgia
We work collaboratively to advocate for key policy changes that advance perinatal mental health in Georgia. Please see our 2022 Legislative & Policy Agenda below. Want to get involved? Email us at advocacy@psiga.org.
PSI-GA also publishes a bi-weekly bulletin, the Georgia Maternal Mental Health Policy Report! The Report will provide updates about the legislative session, including policy and budget items that will impact maternal mental health in Georgia.
Sign up below to receive this update every other week during the legislative session!
2022 Virtual Legislative Wrap Up (Free Event)
April 28 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
We invite you to join our 2022 Virtual Legislative Wrap Up: Prioritizing Maternal and Infant Health, cohosted by Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia and March of Dimes, on April 28, 2022. During these unprecedented times, understanding the state of maternal and infant health policy in Georgia is more important than ever. Attendees will be given updates on bills that passed this legislative session and learn about additional policy priorities that, if adopted, would be pivotal in increasing health outcomes for moms, birthing people and babies in our State. We will also share ways that you can get involved and provide tools to assist you in advocating for families. We hope you’ll join our community of advocates and changemakers!
Join Us for Maternal Mental Health Day @ The Georgia State Capitol!
Thanks to our amazing champions in the House and Senate, Chairwoman Katie Dempsey & Senator Kim Jackson, proclamations passed in both chambers acknowledging May 4th as Maternal Mental Health Day at the Capitol. We plan to bring speakers to share their personal stories to the Capitol on that day, along with words from political figures and celebration to mark the occasion.
Partner with Us!
PSI-GA hosts two events each year that raise awareness and empower parents and families to get the care and support they need:
- The Georgia Black Maternal Mental Health Summit (February)
- Climb Out of the Darkness Georgia (summer)
We have opportunities for organizations to partner with us as we expand access to perinatal mental health support and treatment throughout Georgia. For more information, download the sponsorship guides.
For more information, contact Kim Harris at kim.harris@psiga.org
For Professionals
PEACE for Moms Program
PEACE for Moms is a psychiatric program providing consultation to prescribing clinicians in Georgia. It can save you, your staff, and your patient time by connecting your patient with mental health services. PEACE for Moms is free, removing the financial barrier many patients face when seeking mental health assistance. The program is staffed five days per week with physicians specifically trained in women’s mental healthcare who are current faculty members at the Emory University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Initiate consults by calling 470-977-3223 (470-97-PEACE) or registering on the website.
Training Sessions
PSI-GA now offers Perinatal Mental Health trainings to providers who work with pregnant and postpartum women. Choose from 3 presentations:
- FREE one hour lunch n’ learn training on best practices for screening and referring your patients for perinatal mental health challenges.
- Two hour Perinatal Mental Health Signs & Symptoms Presentation ($375): covers how to recognize and identify signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)
- One Day Advanced Clinical Skills Training (price upon request): teaches advanced clinical skills for working with perinatal women.
Frontline Provider, Certificate & Webinar Trainings
If you are a therapist, OB/GYN, pediatrician, midwife, or other professional who works with pregnant women, new mothers, and their families, consider increasing your professional knowledge and awareness.
Downloadable Materials
Help patients and families learn more about perinatal mental health. Use these handouts and posters in your facility. Click on each link to download and print. If you don’t have a color printer, these files can be used to order from your favorite printer. Or, you may order pre-printed copies of some of our materials for your organization, by requesting through our online request form. Orders are free, but optional donations are appreciated.
About Us
The mission of Postpartum Support International, Georgia Chapter (PSI-GA) is to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of maternal mental health issues related to childbearing in Georgia.
On a local level, it is the vision of PSI-GA that every woman and family throughout the state will have access to information, social support, and informed professional care to deal with mental health issues related to childbearing.
PSI-GA is an all-volunteer organization and a State Chapter of Postpartum Support International, a 501(c)(3) organization. The Tax ID number of Postpartum Support International and PSI-GA is 77-0196208.
Connect with PSI-GA:
Meet our Board of Directors
Shontel Cargill, MS, LMFT
Board President
- Mom of an Angel, Survivor, Advocate
- Perinatal Mental Health Professional Regional Clinic Director, Thriveworks
“I humbly serve on the PSI-GA Board of Directors because I have a lifelong commitment of being a catalyst for change in maternal mental health as a survivor, advocate, and perinatal mental health professional. After experiencing the loss of my daughter, I turned my pain into passion and purpose to help mothers and families who have experienced loss, PMADs, birth trauma, infertlity, and are impacted by maternal mortality in the state of Georgia.”
Paige L. Rohe, MPH
Vice President, Climb Out of the Darkness Co-Lead
- Mommy, Birth Safety Champion, Mover and Shaker
- Director of Communications, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
“After I had my daughter, I struggled with birth trauma based on our delivery experience, and Georgia PSI’s resources helped me to understand that I wasn’t alone, and that there were specialized resources to help me. I am very eager and grateful for the opportunity to give back to other mothers and birthing parents who need support, nurturing, and healing for their mental health after childbirth.”
Amanda Gorman
Treasurer, Board Development and Recruitment
amanda@findingyourvillagepod.com
- Mom, Wife, Survivor, Writer, Advocate
- Birth Educator and Podcast Host, Finding your Village
“I am thankful and honored to have the opportunity to be of service to birthing people and their families in Georgia. As a survivor of postpartum depression and anxiety, I know personally that the work that PSI GA does saves lives. I also acknowledge and lament that there is a large disparity in infant and maternal mortality rates and the rates of perinatal mood disorders affecting the BIPOC community, particularly in Georgia. I feel strongly about advocating for structural, institutional and personal changes to reduce those disparities and to save the lives of birthing people and children in our state.”
Latha Nair-Erickson
Secretary, Climb Out of the Darkness Co-Lead
- Relationship Cultivator, Mom, Advocate
- Network Production Leader | Communications Specialist
“I am very excited to learn and grow in this role on the PSI-GA Board. Mental health is a real stigma in the Asian community and getting help is not an easy task. I hope to be an advocate and let women know there is support for women who feel isolated.”
Shantrice Jones, MPH, CPH
Immediate Past President, DPH Liaison
- Public Health Professional, Researcher, Mom
- Project Manager of Community Engagement, Emory Centers for Training and Technical Assistance
“I am deeply honored to utilize my public health background and passion for helping families struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety. I am especially proud of our extensive work training and building the capacity of health care professionals to recognize the symptoms, screen, and diagnose so that families can get the help they need. The work we are doing through PSI-GA is literally changing lives — and it is extraordinary!”
Elise Blasingame
Advocacy & Government Relations Lead, Corporate Support & Partnerships
- Advocate, Partner, Dog Mom
- Doctoral Student, School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia. Former Executive Director at HMHBGA.
“I am thrilled to work with the Board and volunteers of PSI to make a Georgia where there’s no stigma for women living with PMADs and where they can access the services and resources they need.”
Laytrina Clemons-Brown, MSN, RN
Scholarship Coordinator
Laytrina.Clemons-Brown@northside.com
- Mom, Wife, Family Survivor of Losses, Advocate, Nurse
- Nurse Manager in Women’s Services
“It is humbling to be a part of a community of leaders that puts advocacy, for those who cannot always stand for themselves, first. To take care of others is integral to our survival as humans.”
Bridget Cross, LCSW, PMH-C
PSI State Coordinator Liaison
- Clinical Social Worker, Advocate, Mom
- Psychotherapist in private practice in Savannah, GA
“PSI has been a lifeline to me both personally and professionally since I became a mom. I became a maternal mental health clinician to offer that support outward in the Savannah community, where moms and families struggle profoundly. I’m so honored to join the PSI-GA board and to advocate for our coastal Georgia mamas and for improved maternal health across the state.”
Angela Deportage, MSN-ED, BSN, RN
Peer Support Group Lead
- Professional Nurse, Educator, Advocate, Mentor, Author, Wife & Mother
- Clinical Specialty Educator, Women’s Services, Eastside Medical Center/ Tristar Division
“Over my many years in nursing, I have seen the devastating effects health inequities play on a community’s mental and physical health. As a Labor & Delivery nurse, I have seen how those issues directly affect prenatal and postpartum health. I want to be an advocate & mentor for those communities.”
Kris Favers, Ed.S
Community Outreach & Events Lead
- Community Advocate for Postpartum
- Marketing Coordinator for Amerigroup Community Care serving families who qualify for Medicaid in the State of Georgia, Member of Atlanta Healthy Start Consortium’s strategy team.
“My reason for serving on the board is to be a resource for moms with postpartum. I want to be able to collaborate with other agencies to bring a wealth of resources to moms and their families.”
Ashley S. Lingerfelt, MS, LPC, PMH-C
Mental Health Provider Liaison
- Mother, Clinician, Advocate
- Clinical Director, Playtime Therapy of Georgia, LLC
“Advocating for better care for birthing families is a necessity. By bringing awareness to the intersection of infant and perinatal mental health, we can change the futures of families within our state. I’m honored to be a part of an organization that puts families first from the very beginning.”
Keisha Reaves
Training Coordinator
- Entrepreneur, Mom, Runner
- Clinical Director & Owner of Push Thru Therapy
“Black maternal mental health is a huge passion of mine and I wanted to be a part of an organization whose mission is to educate our community about the postpartum experience for mothers. PSI does incredible work to help the entire family and also connect them with resources. I believe in the work that PSI does and I’m excited to be a part to assist in driving the mission of helping mothers.”
Jose Rodríguez, MD, MBA, FAAP
Provider & Hospital Liaison
- Wellstar Pediatrician/Asthma Champion
- Clinical Professor in Pediatrics at Medical College of Georgia, Adjunct at Morehouse School of Medicine
- Faculty Graduate Medical Education at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
- Faculty American Academy of Pediatrics Substance Use ECHO Project
“All children need available parents in all sense of the word, especially the first 1000 days of life when children are most sensitive and parents are at most risk”
Angie Seech, PhD
Grants and Foundation Support Lead
- Mother, Brain Enthusiast, Mental Health Advocate, Educator
- Owner and Educator at Mommy Brain EDU and Full-Time Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student
“I am passionate about maternal mental health and helping individuals to understand the changes that take place in the brain during and after pregnancy. Sometimes, these changes, along with the often-turbulent transition to motherhood, lead to PMADS. I am honored and excited to serve on this board with other passionate and talented individuals to work towards a community where families are supported during this time.”
Shlonda B Smith, IBCLC
Volunteer Coordinator
- Wife, Mom, Survivor, Advocate
- State Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Coordinator
“I am ecstatic about the opportunity to represent, serve, and advocate for the many families of Georgia impacted by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders with PSI-GA. With our collective voices, expertise, and networks, I have high expectations that we can contribute to the improved well-being of Georgia’s families.”
Kim Harris, MPH
Program Coordinator
- Public Health and Nonprofit Professional
- Certified Birth Doula
“It is an incredible honor to join in PSI-GA’s enduring commitment to Georgia’s childbearing families and to promote its capacities as Program Coordinator. Supporting perinatal mental health is essential to fostering individual, family, and community well-being, and every parent deserves to know that their experiences matter and that support and resources are within reach. PSI-GA stands for this, and I am proud to stand for it as well.”
Contact Us
For more information or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact us using the form below and we’ll be in touch soon.
We want you to know you are not alone and you are not to blame. Help is available. You will get better.
Helpline: 1.800.944.4773
Text in English: 800-944-4773 | Text en Español: 971-203-7773
